Which one would you buy

@devinplombier I think what they mean by untested is that they can't guarantee the condition of the tubes. They're working but they don't know the specs. It's barely an issue. It also looks like they're not the rebuilders–just reselling it..

1. Why didn't they test the tubes? Surely a shop with the word "ham" in its name has got a tube tester somewhere.

2. If the tubes are untested, how was the amp tested? Different set of tubes? Maybe I missed that part and now I'm too lazy to go back 😃

3. Just replace the cover screws already if your local hardware store "likely" has them. Asking $855 for an amp but not bothering to get $2 worth of screws and spray painting their heads to match, I don't know, unless I'm missing something, that kinda rubs me the wrong way honestly.

@devinplombier  Ooof, I didn't see that - your're right it's sheer laziness & sloppiness, which is a  bit disconcerting in this context. That said, the internals look really nice, and their feedback is 100% - so I would still go ahead with purchase if I really wanted that unit. You'd hope maybe they have a "known good" keeper tube set for rebuild testing, and then they pop in the unit's "original, as supplied" tubes back in at the very end (still very lazy not to re-test). OR they didn't actually rebuild it, and are just selling someone else's rebuild. 

The price is right, but still, just why leave these loose ends??

The rebuild on the less expensive unit looks good, but I used Yellow Illinois coupling caps on mine @ the recommendation of the friend who rebuilt it (he used Orange coupling caps in my Dynaco gear).

The only time we disagreed was when he wanted to put a brass nut on my Ibanez PF300.

DeKay

The rebuild on the less expensive unit looks good, but I used Yellow Illinois coupling caps on mine @ the recommendation of the friend who rebuilt it (he used Orange coupling caps in my Dynaco gear).

@devinplombier  Yes, years ago I had a great tech who recommened & used Illinois Caps on vintage rebuilds. I’ve had Eicos & Heathkits done with both IC’s and Orange Drops. Never any problem with either of these caps. Looks like the H&H unit (yes, they are not the rebuilder - just passing it along) uses both of these caps. Also looks like they may have replaced the multi-section can cap with a standard electrolytic, which is OK - it works fine. The CE can cap used by Sky-Fi is a more premuim option. 

But this is also a good opportunity to work in my regular "Alps Blue Velvet" pot bashing, which Sky-Fi advertises as using in their unit. I absolutely HATE that pot; it always ruins the sound quality. Almost anything else is better.  

But this is also a good opportunity to work in my regular "Alps Blue Velvet" pot bashing, which Sky-Fi advertises as using in their unit.

@mulveling 

100% agreed, though honestly there are worse offenders out there than this little $855 amp.

To wit, from the product page of a $5,995 preamp:

Look inside the most well-known brand of tube preamps and you will see a chip called a DS1666-10 Digital Resistor IC. At Primaluna, we understand the temptation to use this chip as they cost $4 each (half that in quantity!). The preamp will sound fine and be quiet, but true to “chips” it will add an electronic “sheen” to the sound. PrimaLuna prefers analogue. And we use the Gold Standard in motorized potentiometers:  The iconic Alps Blue Velvet. Why? Because they track perfectly, stay quiet, and don’t sound like chips!

https://www.primaluna-usa.com/primaluna-evo-400-tube-preamplifier